Feature special to wmubroncos.com by Paul Morgan

KALAMAZOO, Mich.- When senior defensive lineman Andre Turner came to Western Michigan as a freshman in 2013, he didn't believe the seniors when they told him his college career would go by quickly.

Now, he believes them.

There will be 14 seniors taking the field on Wednesday night for their final home game as a Bronco. Western Michigan (5-4 overall, 3-2 Mid-American Conference West Division) hosts Kent State (2-7, 1-4 MAC East) in a 7 p.m. start.

Those 14 are linebacker Caleb Bailey, tight end Lucas Bezerra, linebacker Asantay Brown, tight end Donnie Ernsberger, kicker Jason Evans, running back Jarvion Franklin, offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor, wide receiver Elliot Oldham, long snapper Wyatt Pfeifer, cornerback Darius Phillips, kicker Austin Regan, defensive back Malik Ruker, linebacker Robert Spillane, and Turner.

''Looking back, I remember my first day here like it was yesterday,'' Turner said. ''I was a bit nervous, and after being dropped off by my mother and uncle, it was like I'm here by myself and it's a whole new world.''

That whole new world started on a 1-11 team, too.

''I felt that season molded me as a player and a man, going through so much adversity,'' Turner said.

In his career, he has 63 unassisted tackles and 34 assisted tackles. Of those, 13.5 are tackles for loss. He also has six unassisted sacks and two assisted sacks.

The redshirt seniors and four-year seniors then went 8-5 in 2014, 8-5 in 2015 and then 13-1 in 2016.

''Being a senior in this program is unbelievable, and on top of everything, it's a blessing,'' Franklin said. ''We came in and shared that same drive and vision to turn this thing around and we've done our best to do that.

''We're still chipping away.''

Or, in Franklin's case, blasting away. The rugged running back has gained a school-record 4,509 career yards rushing and another 670 yards receiving. He has 50 rushing touchdowns and another four TDs receiving, giving him a Western Michigan record 54 career touchdowns.

Ernsberger, who has become a pass-catching threat this season with 26 receptions for 305 yards and three touchdowns , is also a tough blocker. He's seen what great leaders at Western Michigan have done in the past.

''They passed it on to us and we have taken on that leadership role,'' he said about the seniors. ''Even when we have a young quarterback step in now (freshman Reese Goddard), it's not that hard to work him into the offense.

''We're telling the younger group to not necessarily follow in our footsteps because every team is different. Everyone is a different type of leader and I have the utmost faith in them.''

One of the new people on the team happens to be Tim Lester, who is in his first season as the head coach. He couldn't be prouder of all his seniors.

''The seniors have been phenomenal,'' the coach said. ''They remember the 1-11 team and were committed to make the change.

''Then they went through a whole lot more change (new coaching staff) and have continued to want to build. They have been huge to me.''

Many of the seniors are on the team's leadership council, ''And I let them have a say in molding of the new program moving forward,'' Lester said. ''Their leadership has helped everyone get through the transition.
''They realize the hard work which went into building this program.''

This senior group is special to Lester because of the way he was accepted when he walked in the door for the first time.

''My first meeting here as a coach, they welcomed me right in,'' he said. ''Maybe it was because I was an alum and I could tell stories about Western Michigan that helped with my acceptance.

''My big thing was getting the team to understand what mattered, what made them successful and how we were going to keep them successful. Those seniors were the first ones to get it.''

Western Michigan's football leadership council has operated as an extension of the coaching staff, too.

''Us as a coaching staff are way stronger than my nine coaches and strength coach because of those guys,'' Lester said. ''We have guys saying all the right things on tough Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday after nine straight weeks and their bodies hurt on the field. I hear them coaching up the guys.''

There is one big realization for all the seniors on Wednesday.

''Coach was saying that I have one more time running out of the tunnel and onto the field,'' Franklin said. ''I was like, 'Who is he talking to? Me?'

''It has flown by, but times flies when you are having fun and I can't wait to put on a show for the fans.''